Astroturf, Anyone?

Yesterday Power Line reported on the President's town hall meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  They linked to a report of Channel 9 WMUR in New Hampshire.  Evidently, supporters of President Obama's healthcare plan were bussed in, waited on the bus, and were directed into the facility by a man with a bullhorn.  Opponents waited outside in the rain.  There is nothing wrong with bringing in people of like political ideas in buses; it's just a good idea not to accuse your opponents of doing it when you in fact are using the buses! 

According to an article in today's Los Angeles Times:

"It seems that, despite all the media attention lavished on e-mail appeals to his supporters, not everyone pushing for President Obama's embattled healthcare reform plan these warm August days is an idealistic volunteer in it for the sake of helping move the country forward and gaining medical attention for millions of uninsured Americans.

"The website's large-type headline announces: "Work to Pass Obama's Healthcare Plan and Get Paid to Do it! $10-15 hr!"

"It's a web ad on Craigslist: "You can work for change. Join motivated staff around the country working to make change happen. You can make great friends and money along the way. Earn $400-$600 a week.""

Being an informed and involved citizen is a great idea.  But as a child of the 1960's, paying people to protest just goes against my grain.  If you are not protesting because something is important to you and you have taken the time to become informed, please stay home.